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Moving Mistakes to Avoid

Do you remember going away to college? Moving for the first time as a young professional? The excitement, the adventure? It seems like the older and more established we get, the bigger, more complex our moves get too. So many of us try to handle our moves just the same way we did as when we were in our late teens or early 20s. Instead of an adventure, moving is a headache. Here are a few moving mistakes to avoid for an exciting and hassle-free transition.

Mistake #1: Not Making a List

The first step to a smooth move is, of course, getting organized! Make a list of everything you need to do before moving day, on moving day and even once you are unpacking. Include estimated deadlines of when you need to have each item done. Then stick to your list! By being organized and prepared, you should be able to steer clear of these moving mistakes to avoid.

Mistake #2: Choosing a Moving Company Too Hastily

Another of the most serious moving mistakes to avoid is choosing your movers too quickly. There are far too many stories out there about movers breaking things or not following up with their commitments. To make sure you don’t become the next cautionary tale, make sure you follow these steps:

Start your search early, so you have the most options.

Get quotes from several moving companies so you can compare prices and how you feel about the movers and their process.

Read reviews online and ask for recommendations from friends. Sometimes word of mouth is best!

Mistake #3: Moving EVERYTHING You Own

Just like choosing the wrong moving company, this is another of the moving mistakes to avoid that often happens as a result of leaving everything to the last minute. If you wait too long, it may seem faster just to throw everything in boxes as quickly as possible and figure it out late. However, the convenience of the moment may end up costing you a lot more if you’re carrying around stuff you don’t need anymore. You may also be missing out on the perfect opportunity to go through your possessions and get rid of the excess. Allow yourself some dedicated time before you start packing to go through everything. Donate what you don’t want or need, and throw away broken items. Keep up the donation and trash push while you pack too. You’ll develop a more critical eye as you get more tired of packing!

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Mark Your Boxes

Perhaps the most difficult things to have happened at the end of an exhausting moving day is when you realize you don’t know where anything is, or even if the boxes are in the right rooms. You can easily prevent this from happening if you mark each box as you pack it. Write which room the contents are from in large letters, and then a quick description of what’s in the box. Be sure to write on both the top and side of the box so that the label can be seen.

Mistake #5: Not Packing Well Enough

Moving can be hazardous for breakables, but you can minimize the chances of losing your treasures if you pack everything well. Don’t skimp on packing materials, and be sure to pad everything well when you pack. Remember, full boxes travel better than boxes with a lot of space, which will just allow the contents to rattle around inside.

Mistake #6: Forgetting to Pack an Overnight Bag

Whether you’re traveling to your new location to meet the movers, or you’re just moving to a new area of town, it is a good idea to pack an overnight bag with all the essentials you will need on the road or during your first night at the new place. Most likely you’ll be too exhausted to dig through boxes to find the things you need, so even if it’s just a local move, pack a box that’s labeled “open me first!”

By taking the extra time to be organized and prepared for your new adventure, you should be able to steer clear of these moving mistakes.

Preparing Kids to Move

Moving is stressful, and adding kids to the mix can make it even more so. Check out these tips to make your move with kids as painless as possible.